Richard G. “Rich” Curtis

Richard G. “Rich” Curtis took up croquet in 1986 and soon thereafter began over twenty five years of achievements and contributions to the sport. One of his main contributions was serving as President of USCA from 2005-2009, having come up through the ranks of many USCA management committees and offices. This was a particularly demanding job for a volunteer, particularly when added to the responsibilities of his full-time law practice in Rochester, NY.

Additionally, Rich served in numerous other challenging, croquet leadership roles. He was responsible for the 2001-2002 Review and Revisions of USCA By-Laws, for which he received the USCA Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002. Rich developed and implemented (along with Nate Weimerskirch) the new USCA Grand Prix, 1997-1998. He chaired the USCA Rules Committee from 2002-2005, during which time the committee undertook a complete review of the rules, leading to the publication of the current Rule Book in 2006. He continues to serve on the USCA Rules Committee.

Rich is the author of varioud articles for the USCA Croquet Magazine and the Croquet Calendar, including “Sportsmanship and the Rules” (2002), as well as annual articles on the USCA Grand Prix.

His much admired achievements on the croquet playing field are attributable to his finely honed skills, coupled with the highest level of sportsmanship. His National titles include three-time USCA National Doubles Champion (with Doub Grimsley), National Amateur Singles Champion in 1990, and a participant in the last twenty USCA National Championships from 1990-2010. At Regional Tournaments, he was a five-time Mid-Atlantic Doubles Champion between 1996 and 2008. Invitational tournament wins include Singles Champion four times at Piping Rock, twice at NYCC Clayton Cup, twice at NYCC Osborn Cup, Peachwood Classic, Canadian Open American Rules, and Delaware Invitational. His wins at Doubles Tournaments include twice at Bermuda Invitational (with Jim Erwin), three times at New York CC Clayton Cup (with Harold Brown twice and Doug Grimsley once), and four time at New York CC Osborn Cup (twice with John Young, Jr. and twice with John Young, III).

Over the past twenty five years, Rich has devoted an enormous amount of time and effort to the sport and the people who enjoy it. In addition to the management of the USCA, he saw a real enhancement of the USCA in the World Croquet Federation, including the United States recently hosting the Mac Robertson Shield and the World Croquet Championship. The U.S. is now a respected and successful competitor through the croquet world. As a sportsman and dedicated volunteer, Rich merits and deserves election into the CFA Hall of Fame.

Richard G. “Rich” Curtis was inducted into the United States Croquet Hall of Fame in 2011.